Ole Miss’ Austin Simmons Positioned for QB1 Role After Stellar Performance

OXFORD, Miss. — Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Simmons is stepping into a crucial role for the Ole Miss Rebels as he solidifies his position as the heir to Jaxson Dart‘s starting spot. Following a standout performance on Nov. 9 against No. 3 Georgia, Simmons demonstrated the potential to lead the Rebels into a new era of competitiveness in college football.

This game was pivotal for Ole Miss, which was in dire need of a victory to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive. Initially starting quarterback Dart faced a challenging situation, throwing an interception and later exiting the game with an injury. This left Simmons in a critical juncture where he needed to prove his capabilities.

“I had to either sink or swim,” Simmons said after the game. “I chose to swim, and it was great to lead the team back.” With a captivating 10-play, 75-yard drive, Simmons concluded the series with a touchdown, exemplifying both composure and skill under pressure as the Rebels defeated the Bulldogs 28-10.

As the 2024 season concluded, the focal point turns to Simmons as he gears up for the 2025 season, transitioning from his backup role to presumed QB1. Over the past two years, he has absorbed invaluable knowledge from Dart, offensive coordinator John David Baker, and head coach Lane Kiffin. Simmons even opted to forgo a promising baseball season to focus solely on football.

“The pressure will be there; it’s part of playing in a program with Ole Miss’ history,” Simmons acknowledged. “But I’m ready to handle it.”

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 215 pounds, Simmons is currently the only player on Ole Miss’ roster that threw passes last season. He completed 19 of 32 attempts for 282 yards, with one touchdown pass to receiver Cayden Lee. The potential for dual-threat ability remains uncertain, and comparisons to past quarterbacks at Ole Miss, like Dart, have begun to surface, along with inquiries about his capability to generate yardage on the ground.

“I’ve always had confidence in my arm,” Simmons stated. “And I think I can improve in other areas too. The next step is to showcase more versatility.”

The competition for the starting quarterback position will be fierce as Simmons is joined by fellow players such as former four-star recruit A.J. Maddox and former backup player Matthew Clarkson, who are both vying for the same role. Maddox, who served as a redshirt in 2024, emphasized that he welcomes the competition following their open conversations about the upcoming season.

“It’s always been about learning and growing,” Maddox said. “Austin is a good player, and I look forward to competing against him for the job. It’s going to keep us both sharp.”

The spring football period for Ole Miss is set to commence on March 18, with the opening matchup of the regular season slated for Aug. 30 against an opponent to be confirmed. Simmons and the Rebels will aim to build upon their recent successes and establish themselves as a formidable force in college football.